Safe on the streets

#WalkWithConfidence

Safe on the streets focuses on people’s safety when out, be it walking home from school or on a night out. All too often young people, especially girls, experience harassment, abuse, or assault when all they are trying to do is get from A to B.

Harassment – when somebody is behaving in a way that makes you feel distressed or intimidated
Sexual assault – being deliberately touched by someone else, in a sexual manner, without your consent
Stalking – repeated behaviours from another person towards you that are obsessive and unwanted, making you feel threatened

What do we plan to do about safety on the street?

Raise awareness of ways for bystanders to help
Work with partners
Collaborating with our Police and Crime Commissioner, on her VAWG (violence against women and girls) taskforce
Open up discussion around the topic to bring more awareness to the subject
Signpost ways to get advice and help if you experience sexual assault/harassment etc
Spread the message online using our hashtags #theywerejustwalking #myrighttosafety #walkwithconfidence

What can you do?

Support our campaigns and join the discussion
Report incidents
Be aware when out and about
Take part in surveys such as our BIG CONVERSATION (more surveys included in the additional information…)
Speak about the issue to your peers
Look into what help your local area offers

Helpful Links

Street safe reporting form – a pilot service for anyone to anonymously share about public places where you have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused
Suzy Lamplugh Trust– provides guidance for safety on the street
Fearless – provides an anonymous reporting service for under 18s to report crime
Stalking helpline – a direct helpline with information for victims of stalking and what to do next
Ask for ‘Angela’ – a code name used for those who feel unsafe indicated to staff in bars, pubs and clubs for discreet help
Lifecentre – a charity offering support to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds who have had an unwanted sexual experience. Specialist counselling for under 18s.
Report to Hampshire Constabulary – share intelligence or report crime.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Resources

PLan UK – street harassment

Ask Ava – toolkits, posters and resources for educating on street safety

Keep your mates safe game– project designed by the North Yorkshire Youth Commission.

Videos

Gender based Violence Campaign #isthisok

Street Harassment (Plan UK) #Isayitsnotok

Street Harassment TED talk by Jess Leigh – it’s not ok

Why women feel unsafe on Britain’s streets? A Channel 4 News Segment

Surveys

The Police and Crime Commissioner is seeking to tackle the root causes of VAWG and prevent such offences from occurring in the first place. She believes that everyone must stand together in this. Please complete the relevant survey below:

Young people

L ocal residents

Professionals and practitioners